For decades, the Dodge Charger has been the automotive equivalent of a pub brawl at closing time. Loud. Sweaty. Slightly terrifying. And almost certainly tattooed with something misspelled. This, however, is the all-new, 2026, all-electric, four-door Dodge Charger Daytona. Yes. Electric. The muscle car that once rattled windows, scared children, and frightened wildlife now rattles absolutely nothing, except, possibly, the American power grid. Today, I’m going to find out whether this thing is still a muscle car or whether Dodge has simply built a very fast, very heavy four-door sedan.
Dodge insists that this is still a muscle car. And to be fair, it certainly looks like one. Wide hips. Angry headlights. A stance that says, “I bench-press Buicks for warm-ups.” But there is one small, insignificant, utterly devastating detail missing. No V8, no thunder, no glorious internal-combustion fury. And that, dear muscle-car people, is rather the point.
A Trick Up Its Sleeve
Most electric cars sound like a disgruntled hairdryer. Dodge, however, claims this one makes angry noises via something called the Fratzonic Exhaust. What is it?
Well, it’s essentially a costly surround-sound system designed to pretend there’s still a gas engine somewhere nearby. Speakers, chambers, amplifiers, simulated vibrations, and fake gear shifts comprise the entire theatrical production. Of course, I tried it inside and from the outside, and it certainly works, but it does sound somewhat fake. It’s a bit like when vegans insist their vegetables “taste just like steak.” They don’t. But bless them for trying.
Four Doors of Outrage
This year marks the arrival of the four-door Charger Daytona. Apart from the extra pair of doors, it’s largely the same as the coupe, only in my opinion, way more practical.
Efficiency and Range
I must note that the range is not brilliant, despite having a hefty 94-kWh battery. Since the car weighs nearly three tons, the EPA estimates you’ll get about 223 miles. If you opt for the summer tires, which my tester had, that will drop the range to around 216. Charging is middle-of-the-road. The 400-volt system tops out at 183 kW, which is slower than a Tesla Model S, but faster than a Mach-E. Dodge claims a 20–80% charge takes just over 27 minutes on a Level 3 DC fast charger. Long enough to buy a coffee, stare into space, and question your life choices.
Under the Hood
There are two permanent-magnet motors, one on each axle, each making 335 horsepower, which equates to 670 horsepower and 627 lb-ft of torque. 0–60 happens in 3.3 seconds, and the quarter mile flashes by in 11.7 seconds. So yes—it’s terrifyingly fast. Just… very quietly.
Wheels, Tires, and Stopping Power
It rides on nice 20-inch wheels wrapped in optional Goodyear Eagle F1 SuperCar 3 summer tires, 305s up front, 325s at the back. Enormous. Brakes are proper Brembos with 16.1-inch rotors, which is fortunate, because stopping three tons of electricity requires divine intervention.
Driving
Once in the move, the car reacts quickly to steering adjustments. Whether you’re navigating sweeping highway curves or busy city intersections, the Charger remains unfazed and incredibly comfortable. It surprisingly stops well for its size; those 16.1 inch rototrs and Brembos were very reassuring.
The Daytona offers multiple drive modes for different conditions, including Auto, Sport, Track, Drag, Wet/Snow, and Custom, accessible via steering wheel buttons for one-touch selection. Modes adjust performance, sound (Fratzonic exhaust), and display, and it adds Donut and Drift modes for tire-smoking fun, all controlled through the Uconnect 5 system.
At high speeds, the Daytona feels as big as it is, but it is fairly agile in tight turns, and the long wheelbase means it glides over uneven surfaces. The Scat Pack’s summer tires offer excellent traction and stability in sweeping turns, yet rapid changes in direction once more expose the vehicle’s heft.
It’s at its best cruising along at highway speeds, knowing you have an enormous amount of shove under your right foot should you come up behind someone who is dilly-dallying. A firm press sends you whooshing past until you realize you have to back off to preserve range.
I tested the Charger’s charging speeds, and they are adequate. The issue is that once you get to 80%, charging rates slow considerably, so you have quite a slog to get to 905, which you need to do to have a decent amount of range.
Interior
The Daytona’s cabin is designed to comfortably fit four adults. You can choose between instrument cluster screens that are 10.3 and 16.0 inches, while a 12.3-inch infotainment display comes standard on every model. Just like the outside, the designers aimed to reflect the style and vibe of the original 1968 Charger. In that spirit, there’s a contemporary take on the classic ‘pistol grip’ shifter located in the center console, along with the start/power button and a wireless phone charger.
The infotainment system can be a tad slow, and the touch-sensitive climate controls are annoying; why not physical buttons? The optional suede and leather seats are very good, multi-way power, and even the rear seats are heated and offer a ton of legroom.
The bad news is it doesn’t feel like a $60,000-plus luxury car or a cutting-edge EV. The touchscreen graphics are plain, and even though it has more physical controls than many EVs, some other functions leave you tapping at different screen menus. The cabin does have some nice textures, design, and decent quality materials, but the overall vibe is not one of luxury.
Cargo Space (Shockingly Sensible)
Here’s the surprise: it’s actually useful. The hatchback trunk offers 23 cubic feet, expanding to 37 with the seats folded. There’s also a frunk. Yes, a frunk. It holds 1.5 cubic feet, which is enough for a shopping trip or your emotional baggage.
Price (Deep Breath)
The base price for this well-optioned test car is $61,995, but this one has a few options:
-
Track Package – $4,495
Brembo Ultra-High-Performance Brakes, widebody competition suspension, adaptive damping, red calipers -
Sea and Sound Package – $2,495
Full glass roof, Alpine 18-speaker audio -
Bludicrous Paint – $795
(And yes, that is the actual name.) -
Carbon and Suede Package – $1,995
Leather and suede performance seats -
All-Season Tires – $695
-
Blacktop Package – $1,095
Dark exterior badging, because darkness equals speed
Final price:
$80,455
VIDEO REVIEW
Verdict
The 2026 Dodge Charger Daytona Scat Pack sedan is bold, dramatic, and very good at being a car. Those four doors and massive cargo space make it genuinely practical. Straight-line performance is absolutely ferocious. But I’m sorry, Dodge, this is not a muscle car. It’s a full-size, electric grand tourer wearing a muscle-car costume and playing V8 noises through a loudspeaker. A very fast one. A very clever one. But a muscle car? No. And on that mild disappointment… it is still rather brilliant.
2026 Dodge Charger Daytona Scat Package
BASE PRICE: $61,995
PRICE AS TESTED: $80,455
VEHICLE TYPE: Front-engine, rear-wheel-drive, 4 door, 5 passenger sedan
FRONT MOTOR: Permanent-magnet synchronous AC, 335 hp, 314 lb-ft
REAR MOTOR: Permanent-magnet synchronous AC, 335 hp, 314 lb-ft
TOTAL POWER: 670 hp @ 6000 rpm
TOTAL TORQUE: 627 lb-ft @ 4200 rpm
TRANSMISSION: Direct-drive
0-60 MPH: 3.3 sec
TIRES: Goodyear Eagle F1 SuperCar 3, F 305/35ZR-20, R 325/35ZR-20
BATTERY PACK: 94 kWh
PEAK DC Fast-Charge Rate: 183 kW
CURB WEIGHT: 4,400 lb
EPA: Combined/City/Highway: 70/74/66 MPGe
RANGE: 216 miles (summer tires)
PROS: Great looking, nice new interior, terrific brakes, slingshot fast
CONS: Range and charging speed, expensive
2026 Dodge Charger Daytona EV Review
